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WARWICK CAPPER The Wiz, Waverley and the one and 6 only Warwick.

TOP 5 MARKS The most spectacular marks from the 70s 8 and 80s.

30 YEARS AGO TODAY The VFL ventures into unknown territory as 10 it introduces two new franchises outside of .

TOP 5 GOALS The most breathtaking marks from the 70s 11 and 80s.

REVIVING THE KANGAROOS North ’s rise from the wooden 12 spoon to the premiership cup.

JOHN GREENING A budding superstars career cut tragically 15 short. footy rewind VFL TO AFL Footy Rewind focusses on the magical moments of Australian Rules The birth of the AFL saw the emergence of from the 1970s and 1980s. An era characterised by big marks, big men and 16 a truly national game. even bigger hairstyles. We will look back at some of the memorable moments, grounds, players and premierships. We hope to take you back in time with the TRADE WARS Collingwood & Richmond. A bitter rivarly design of the magazine and give you a glimpse of footy back in the good old days. 18 and the ensuing trade war.

TEAM OF THE DECADE meet the team 22 The best of the best from the 70s and 80s. NICKNAME ALL-AUSTRALIAN The best nicknames of the 70s and 80s, in- 24 spired by the late .

FULL FORWARDS The 70s and 80s saw countless incredible full 26 forwards strut their stuff on the big stage. QUIZ Think you know your 70s and 80s footy? Test 29 yourself on our quiz. Jacob Manzie Christopher Daniel Freeman 1989 GRAND FINAL Chrysostomou One of the greatest grand finals of all time as 30 the Cats and Hawks squared off in 1989. Jarryd Barca Jayden Cameron Dylan Brown Jed Lanyon Waving goodybe to the potential mega-stadium. 4 32 5 Photo credit: Front cover - www.audioboom.com, Title page & back cover - www.heraldsun.com.au/sport, Contents - www.aflplayers.com.au

Capper kicked 84 goals in his the field, it was his persona and bane Bears players resented the first 30 games with the Swans, but charisma that truly vaulted him money he was on and “wouldn’t pass it was the appointment of Tom into superstar status. The long the ball to [him].” While he was un- Hafey as the Swans senior coach blond hair, the tanned skin, the able to replicate his 1986 and 1987 in 1986 that kick-started the rise coloured boots and shorts so tight form at the Bears, his impact and of Capper. In his two seasons un- they left nothing to the imagination. influence at the Swans is unquestion- der Hafey, he would go onto kick able. He was inducted into the Swans 195 goals and finish runner-up in “I used to wear my son’s Hall of Fame in 2011 and believes the twice. it’s only a matter of time until he’s Hafey allowed Capper to be his size three shorts, and I inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame. lairising self and the results spoke had to wear a G-string If he was to be inducted he for themselves. He became the backwards to make me would join Steven Silvagni and poster boy for football in Sydney jump a bit higher.” , who he rates as two The Wiz, and in 1987 became only the sec- of the best defenders he ever played ond Swan to break the 100-goal on. Although he cheekily quips that barrier in a single season. he still “kicked ten on Silvagni”. After finishing runner up in the Waverley Capper’s teammate and Brown- When it comes to comparing Coleman Medal to low medalist, noted himself to the games other high and the one and only in 1987, Capper moved to the at the time that Capper was one flyers, Capper is characteristically Bears at the end of the of ’s three best known modest about his aerial ability. “I took season on the richest contract in sportsmen. For a handful of years, better marks than Modra at training Warwick VFL history. While Capper claims he shared the national sporting and Jesaulenko, well I was his coach.” he doesn’t regret the decision to Thirty years ago, Warwick Capper A hush fell over Waverley Park nature fashion and strutted back- spotlight with golfer Greg Nor- Capper believes that the mod- leave the Swans, he managed just 71 launched at Waverley and what fol- as Capper reached the peak of his wards to the delight of the crowd. man and cricketer Allan Border. ern game is worse off for the lack goals in three seasons at the Bears. lowed had to be seen to be believed. flight trajectory. Time seemed to While Shaun Smith holds the As talented as Capper was on of flair and true full-forwards kick- Capper believes that the Bris- The now 54 year old claims he still slow down as he hung on Lang- official title for mark of the cen- ing bags of goals. He says the 100- hasn’t landed yet. ford’s shoulders with his arms tury, Capper unabashedly claims goal barrier unfortunately won’t stretched out, calling the Sherrin he holds the title for “mark of the be broken again due to the fixa- By Daniel Freeman home. Then the unexpected hap- universe.” It was undoubtedly one tion on rotations. He also offered pened, Langford’s shoulders buck- of the greatest marks in VFL/AFL a stark warning to any runner hris Langford glanced behind led under the weight and Capper’s history and it was taken by one who would tell him to get off the Chimself as he shuffled back- legs flew out from underneath of the game’s greatest and most ground after he kicked a goal, “I’d wards into football folklore. He him. His boot studs cleared his polarising figures. punch the f**king runner out.” would eventually go on to hang golden locks as he hung horizon- Capper is a breed of footballer Capper is the true definition up the boots with four premier- tal and posed for the camera man. that we just don’t see in the game of a sporting enigma. You never ship medallions around his neck, It was at this moment that Cap- anymore. He was outspoken, con- know what you’re going to get, but he was about to feature in per’s flight was interrupted by an troversial and created must-watch but at the same time you just his career’s defining moment. At incoming phone call. television. An excitement machine can’t look away. Even at 54 years least according to the ever-flam- that brought fans through the old, Capper is still the same boyant Warwick Capper. “I got a phone call from gates with his presence alone. bubbly character that graced the It was the 1987 qualifying final Even before his rise to fame, football field over three decades and as the clock ticked towards Air Traffic Control and Capper knew he was born for the ago. When people reminisce about half-time the Swans trailed the they said Warwick get out big stage. “I had a vision at eight Capper they often overlook his Hawks by 33 points. Capper had of the airspace. There’s a years of age to visualise great- freakish ability as a player. His already slotted two majors on the 747 approaching.” ness and be the next . larger than life-persona will never day and brought up the century Which I achieved five years later be forgotten, but the day Capper Warwick Capper for his season tally. However, as and became better than him.” hung up the boots the game lost a pumped the ball into While in reality it took Capper genuine star. Capper obliged and crashed back a vacant fifty, Capper had other more than five years to stake any “Sometimes they forget how down to Earth and reality, but not thoughts on his mind. The self-pro- claim to Hart’s resume, it was this good I was…Tony Lockett used before he secured the one-hand- claimed ‘Wiz’s’ eyes lit up as Lang- confidence that made him the to punch their heads, I used to sit ed mark on his bicep. He took a ford turned into a human step-lad- perfect marketing tool for the on their heads and kick nine or split second to find his composure, der and one of the game’s greatest newly born . ten.” personalities was cleared for lift-off. before he raised the ball aloft in sig- 6 7 Photo credit: Title image - www.bigfooty.com, Swans photo - http://www.gettyimages.com.au/ Top 5 Marks Ross Dunne “We might be back here next week” By Jarryd Barca echoed through TV sets around Australia as Ross ‘Twiggy’ Dunne (#12) took a mark ne of the main traits that a player in the AFL possesses is the ability to in the dying seconds of the 1977 Grand Otake eye-catching marks around the field. Final. With the Magpies down six, ‘Twig- gy’ went back and nailed the as Marks that are captured at the right time by photographers, these images are Collingwood and North Melbourne played often the centrepiece of a publication due to the sheer ‘amazingness’ it displays out just the second draw in AFL history. about the sport, as opposed to other mainstream sports.

Forget about , and , let’s focus on where these modern-day stars learned how to take a leap. Here’s the top five marks of the 1970’s and 1980’s.

5Alex Jesaulenko, 1970 Billy Picken, 1976 1Warwick Capper, 1987 When you’re asked to think of a 3 A high-flying excitement No, he isn’t paying us to rate his specky () in the machine, Billy Picken won his mark as the best of this era. It is, old days, your mind automatically second award in fact, one of the more unorth- thinks of the black and white in three years after his hanger odox marks you will ever see in image of Jesaulenko sticking his against St Kilda in Round 16. the AFL, but that’s what makes it knees in the back of Colling- It was a classic Aussie Rules so great. Capper used Hawthorn’s wood’s Graeme ‘Jerker’ Jenkin in hanger as Picken rode the back Chris Langford as a step ladder in the 1970 Grand Final. Partnered of in a one-on-one the 1987 qualifying final, capturing with the famous commentary, contest along the wing at Victo- the ball with one arm while laying “Oh Jesaulenko, you beauty”, it’s ria Park, marking the ball cleanly horizontally flat on his side at one of the most famous marks in over his head. Waverley Park. the history of our game.

4Alastair Lynch, 1989 2 , 1988 The final Mark of the Year winner One of the all time greatest defenders in in this period, rose the AFL, Stephen Silvagni knew how to from the back of a pack of five take a hang. Round 14 of the 1988 sea- players to take what was in the end son saw “SOS” intercept a Collingwood a juggling chest mark against North attack by practically jumping over Craig Melbourne in Round 16. It was Starcevich’s shoulders. It’s one of the a huge leap from the at the time highest marks of all time, but this makes 21-year-old. it to two for the pure hang time.

8 9 Scan the QR code with your phone camera to watch our top 5 marks. Photo credit: Google Images Photo credit - www.heraldsun.com.au Top 5 Goals By Jacob Manzie ustralian Rules Football has been full of excitement since the beginning of the code, with 30years Aathletes being able to produce incredible feats, goals, marks and breathtaking moments. ago The thrill of a miraculous goal is the life-blood behind football. The collective gasp of the crowd, before the explosion of noise that engulfs the stadium as the hero laps up the adulation. There have been many talented players over the years that have produced some today incredible goals, as well as a unique handful that can do it week in and week out.

By Jed Lanyon Covering the top five goals to come out of the 70’s and 80’s was a difficult task, with a ple- years ago, the VFL ventured tohra of miraculous efforts to select from. Players like Kevin Bartlett and Phil Manassa were 30into unknown territory as just a couple to come out of a great era with some fantastic and freakish goal-kickers. it introduced two new franchises outfit was competitive, winning 11 benefited from recruiting a host outside of Victoria. games to finish in 8th position. of local WA talent to essentially Melbourne based VFL clubs were They averaged a respectable form a state representative side experiencing financial struggles at 24,000 attendance for home games, of ready-made talent. the time. well above the league average of just did not have The solution to this was the sale 21,000. the same talent for the Bears, and of two new potential franchises for While only losing three games the VFL did not give the same $4 million each, which was then in their home state of Western concessions to the club like the spread equally amongst the existing Australia, including a victory over AFL did in recent times for the Melbourne clubs. eventual premiers, Carlton. and the Greater The 1987 VFL season saw the The same could not be said for Western Sydney Giants. introduction of the West Coast the , who finished Despite being named after the Eagles and the Brisbane Bears with just six wins to finish 13th, city of Brisbane, the Bears played (now ). second last to Richmond in the their home games on the Gold Despite both clubs joining the competition. Coast at , which league simultaneously, they would But how could the Eagles get is now the home to the Gold prove to have different paths of it so right and the Bears get it all Coast Suns. success. wrong? Instead of a VFL traditional Unlike the current expansion As is a tradi- club which represented a city or teams of the AFL, this new Eagles tional football state, West Coast suburb, the term ‘West Coast’ was coined so that the club would represent the entire state of Western Australia, as opposed to a smaller area, to maximise the club’s fan base. In their second season the Kevin Bartlett, 1979 Kevin Bartlett, 1988 Phil Manassa, 1977 5 3 Bartlett dodges a Collingwood player 1Manassa kicked just 60 goals in his Eagles earned a ‘home’ elimination Tucked in the pocket at against the Blues, Bartletts before taking three bounces and drill- 122 games for Collingwood, but his final against the Demons. goal in Round 13 of 1979 gets ing the shot from the boundary line goal in the 1977 Grand Final was However, the idea of an interstate a mention due to the windy to the delight of the Tiger fans. arguably one of the best of all time. VFL final was not taken well by the conditions and the acute angle He took the ball in the half-back still Victorian dominant league, so he kicked it from. flank and ran fifty metres before the game was played at VFL Park. drilling the shot on the run. The Brisbane Bears lasted just eleven years in the league before , 1971 merging with Fitzroy in 1996. , 1976 4 In the 1971 Grand Final, Hudson equalled 2 “Its a big kick, its a mammoth kick, its a goal.” At this stage the Eagles had made for the most goals scored in a The most famous torpedo in the history their mark on the competition, claim- single season, with an incredible 150 majors. of the game as Blight marked and kicked a ing two of their three premierships in He had an attempt to kick 151, but booted goal from 80 metres out to win the game in The Bears familiarising themselves with their new club’s song. club history already. the Sherrin into the man on the mark. Round 10 against Carlton.

10 11 Photo credit: Brisbane Bears - www.adelaidenow.com.au, - www.westcoasteagles.com.au Scan the QR code with your phone camera to watch our top 5 goals. Photo credit: www.abc.net.au/news Dowling said of the club’s luck in gain- “Credit really has to go to Ron who went for Ron Joseph and Al ing three stars of the competition. Barassi. Our failure in [19]74 was Mantello. They were the people “We also got from the thing that triggered off the re- who masterminded the whole plan . He wasn’t subject to the action [becoming the most domi- and broke the North Melbourne 10-year rule, but he came across nant side in the competition].” strangle hold,” he continued. for one season in 1970, left, and Every man and his dog knows “We had been in a grand final then came back and was a big that grand finals are difficult to in 1950 and it was the only grand part in that era.” win. North claiming two premier- final we went in since we came But while people will sit there ships (1975 and 1977) could be into the league in 1925, so Allen and criticise North Melbourne’s seen as one of the more remark- Aylett, Ron Joseph … they were tactics of not breeding their own able dynasties considering where the people who really master- – and rather capitalising on the the club came from. minded the whole procedure.” 10-year rule – Dowling conceded But to others, they underper- that there are a number of rea- formed. “Credit really has to go sons the Kangaroos rose back up “We should have won at least the ladder, and one of them was three premierships in a row in to .” Father Gerard Dowling AFL legend Ron Barassi. that time,” Dowling claimed. “He [Barassi] was the captain of But the effect of finally giving Davis finished his career with Melbourne. He left them and be- long-suffering North Melbourne 71 games and 54 goals for North came captain-coach with Carlton supporters something to cheer Melbourne, while John Rantall (70 and won two premierships. He about was the real beauty and and two) and (59 and gave it up then was persuaded out importance of this famous reviv- 223) also ended their two-year Reviving the Kangaroos of retirement to come to North,” al, given what their faithful had stint at Arden Street following the Dowling said. recently endured. 1975 premiership success. “The mood among the sup- “We should have won at The ever-controversial 10-year After missing the finals for 13 ladder and have no choice but to where the Kangaroos were seen porters was just tremendous,” rule was ultimately annulled by Dowling said. straight seasons following 1958, endure a rebuild. slumbering on the bottom of the least three premierships the VFL board as every club in the “1965 I think it was, we didn’t the North Melbourne Football But let’s backtrack 45 years to a ladder. in a row in that time.” competition complained about time North Melbourne began one The league decided that the have control of the Arden Street North’s three additions and sud- Club soon became the envy of the Father Gerard Dowling of the most famous rebuilds the rule had caused too many prob- ground. We went out to Coburg den turn of fortuity. competition. for one year, and then we came game has ever seen, a time where lems, and in May of 2013, it was a “He had a tremendous fierceness “I think it’s like everything else. back to North Melbourne and we Once you start showing success, By Jarryd Barca there were just 12 teams competing rule no longer. and the knowledge to help us win in what was then known as the VFL. But despite the 10-year rule’s were in charge of the ground … people gather around,” Dowling said. our first league premiership in it made things much more able. The North Melboune Football Finishing fourth in 1958 was short-lived presence in the game, 1975.” “North had struggled for mem- Club has made the AFL finals followed by 13 successive sea- its influence would long be spo- bership but gradually that was the series in four of the past eight sons without a finals berth, and ken about. beginning, we are the fourth old- seasons, which includes twice North Melbourne had only ever After obtaining the signatures est club of the 18 teams there are finishing in ninth position. played off in one grand final in of Essendon’s , South at the moment, founded in 1869. But lack of firepower has, its history, which was in 1950. Melbourne’s John Rantall and “With success we attracted throughout this era, negated them The Kangaroos’ average ladder Geelong’s Doug Wade, it was people, all those sort of features from being one of the more suc- position between 1958 and 1972 clear that North Melbourne had helped us a lot. All those factors cessful Victorian-based AFL teams. was ninth, which includes finishing benefited from the rule the most turned us around.” 2016 was the last of many times on the bottom of the ladder on and would soon become the envy Following North Melbourne’s the Kangaroos were kicked out four occasions. of the competition. wooden spoon in 1972, the Kan- via an elimination final. They also Enter: the 10-year rule. After one season, the Roos garoos qualified for the grand final lost a host of experience; Brent Similar to what is now known competed in a grand final, a stage in five consecutive years from Harvey, , Michael as ‘Free Agency’, the VFL board they hadn’t witnessed since 1950. 1974-1978. came together and decided It was the first of five consecutive Their success in 1975 and 1977 Firrito and weren’t offered new contracts for the that a player who has served 10 grand final appearances. has them remembered as one “We were able to work out a deal. “A key person to the whole thing 2017 season. years with a club is eligible to “Almost as soon as they allowed of the most dominant football Al[bert] Mantello, he was the one was , who had been At the conclusion of the 2017 move to the club of his choice. that rule, the VFL withdrew it, so teams in the history of our game. who had a say in helping lure Ron one of their best players, became home-and-away campaign, North This rule was enforced at the we were very fortunate,” North A remarkable turnaround. to the club. It proved crucial.” chairman and was one of the ones Melbourne finished 15th on the conclusion of the 1972 season, Melbourne historian Father Gerard 12 13 Photo credit: Title photo - www.theage.com.au, Kangaroos team photo - www.nmfc.com.au Promising career cut short by “Jesaulenko, you beauty.” Arguably the most iconic moment in VFL/AFL history. In front of a crowd of 121,696 at the 1970 savage assault Grand Final, Jesaulenko launched over Magpie Graeme Jenkins and hung for one of the greatest By Chris Chrysostomou football photos ever captured. uly 8 1972 will always be remem- Jbered as the day football lost one of its most promising careers. Aged 21, Collingwood’s John Greening was one of the best players in the VFL. In his fourth year of senior football, Greening averaged 26 disposals a game and had an unfor- gettable fortnight between rounds 9 and 10, when he accumulated 91 disposals and kicked 10 goals. Greening was a favourite for the , before his season and career was cut short by a savage incident. Greening started the round 14 clash against St Kilda at Moorab- bin in fine fashion, taking the first mark of the game. The midfielder kicked the ball into the Magpies attack and as fans and the television cameras As Greening lay fighting for Some Magpie fans were so followed the flight of the ball, his life, the VFL acted quickly and appalled by the incident that they St Kilda tough man, Jim O’Dea, sanctioned O’Dea with a 10-week never attended another game. viciously hit Greening. ban. Spectacularly, Greening returned The Magpie was left uncon- to football in round 9, 1974. scious and bloodied by the fleeing “I looked down at Johnny Against reigning premiers Rich- O’Dea, when Collingwood train- and it gave me a dread- mond, Greening booted a goal with ers came to his aid. ful fright. It was a horrif- his first kick and helped the Magpies Magpie’s teammate Len Thomp- to a 69-point win. son recalled the incident prior to ic sight, he was severely But Greening would never again his death in 2007. hurt.” reach the heights of his comeback “I looked down at Johnny and game. it gave me a dreadful fright. It was In his own words Greening said a horrific sight, he was severely O’Dea escaped legal action for his aim was to return for one game hurt.” the incident, even though there were and prove to the doubters that he “Whatever happened, and I reports St Kilda coach in- could still play at the top level. didn’t see it, I think part of what structed O’Dea to “fix up” Greening. A lack of motivation saw did happen is he hit the ground St Kilda fans taunted Greening, as Greening play only eight more and his head hit the pitch.” he lay unconscious on the stretcher, games before announcing his The incident left Greening in a infuriating Magpie fans and beginning retirement in 1976. coma for 24 hours and in inten- a fierce rivalry between the clubs. Greening may only have played sive care for 12 days. Following the incident, Magpie 107 games, but Magpie fans will Doctor’s feared Greening would fans adorned boundary fences always remember him as one of the not survive and considered brain with a banner bearing Greening’s most prestigious talents to wear the damage as the best-case scenario. name, when the two sides met. famous black and white . 14 15 Photo credit: www.pinterest.com.au Photo credit: www.victoriapark.net.au club as he had visions of a grand expand in the early 90s. After taking the VFL to the Surpreme Court, the ‘Save the Dogs’ got the upper hand, with a three-week repreive being grant- ed, having to raise $1.5million for the club in order to get back its VFL licence. Mr. Oakley stated that while they had the plans to merge cer- tain teams, they as an organisation “underestimated the impact it would have on supporters when their club would be in trouble.” Ross credited the ‘Save the Dogs’ were able to raise enough funds have been with a ‘what if’ scenar- group saying, to regain their licence, and turn io, one where the ‘North Fitzroy their darkest day into one of the Kangaroos’ would have been a “It was a clear indication club’s most significant event in dominate force in the late 90s. of what makes our game history. With all the possible and unsuc- Birth of a national game This merger was just one of many cessful mergers done and dusted, great, with passionate that were proposed only to fall Fitzroy relocating to Brisbane and The pressure of financial losses pave 1986 was the raw beginning of the Board of Directors, made the supporters standing up through in the later parts of the forming the Brisbane Bears, the the way for a national competition, AFL merger, with representatives announcement of the merger be- 80s. stage was set for the new and for their club.” After struggling in the early 80s, improved, AFL Competition. the birth of the AFL. from the VFL [Victorian Football tween Footscray and Fitzroy. This League], SANFL [South Australian was due to Footscray being con- North Melbourne were on the Teams from state leagues around brink of relocating with multiple the country pressed their name By Jayden Cameron National Football League] and sistently insolvent and therefore Thousands turned out at Whit- WAFL [Western Australian Foot- resulting in major legal sanctions ten Oval, in which supporters offers from a Queensland Entre- in hope of being given an AFL competition built on heritage ball League] meeting in February for those involved. were more than willing to donate preneur nearly agreed upon by licence. Aand tradition, where Victoria of that year to establish the new This day was the darkest day in any amounts of money to help North Melbourne President at Port Magpies were the was the playground for the best format for a new national compe- Footscray’s history, with support- the struggling club. Many were the time, Bob Ansett. first to announce their intentions, football players in the country. tition. ers, players and club officials were desperate for this revival, includ- There were fears of a ‘super ultimately succumbing to losing However, as we approached the However, it was later that same desperate to fight for the clubs ing Collingwood, who offered to team’ forming however, with their spot within the SANFL new decade, the VFL was on its year when Victorian Parliament survival in the newly revamped chip in with the agreement of classy players across the field for Competition in 1990, while just last legs with mergers being pro- were told only three clubs [Carl- competition. receiving Tony McGuinnes. both clubs. With a convincing 14-1 months later, it is agreed Adelaide posed from all angles and involv- ton, Hawthorn and Essendon] This group was called, ‘Save the With this, Footscray supporters vote opposing this merger, we will have a stand-alone AFL team. ing all clubs at the conclusion of were solvent, and the remaining Dogs’. Within just a few short years the 80s. teams combined for $7 million in Footscray represented every- of the rumour of changing the With the AFL competition debt. thing about the West of Mel- competition to a national level, forming at the start of the 1990 Financial gains were just as im- bourne, with a fighting spirit for Ross Oakley was able to estab- season, the number of Victorian portant as on-field success, espe- the working class men whenever lish a competition that was firstly teams would have to be cut to cially for Fitzroy in this period of they were under pressure, or competitive, but also financially alow interstate teams the oppor- time. With continual lossses each looked over by outsiders. Each rewarding for all clubs involved, tunity. season, pressure mounted on the time they were tested, they would which the VFL lacked. However, how did the VFL/AFL sustainability of the struggling turn the ship and would surprise Throughout this period of his- merger even come to fruition. club as it did with Melbourne and the football world by overcoming tory is some of the darkest days 1986 was the raw beginning of Footscray. it all. for some of our competitions ma- the AFL merger, with represen- With the new competition be- Ross Oakley, CEO of the VFL jor clubs. The likes of Collingwood tatives from the VFL [Victorian coming a reality, bigger clubs were at the time, and big advocator for and Melbourne with the two rich- Football League], SANFL [South forced into fundraising and other the VFL/AFL merger, was a major est histories, being spoken about Australian National Football]. avenues of raising much needed influence in the Footscray merger, mergers due to financial defecit However, how did the VFL/AFL funds to be able to survive. recognising the financial pressures is absurd, however gives us a true merger even come to fruition? On October 3, 1989, the VFL were too much for the struggling indication of the struggles of what we know as, the AFL. 16 17 Photo credit: www.heraldsun.com.au (All three photos) wood got a bit more pissed off.” Richmond were understandably “What we did was dopey,” Richmond was one of the clubs pissed off,” said Roberts. Meaklim said. annoyed by the Collingwood The Tigers tried signing Colling- “While Collingwood were get- recruiting strategy. wood icon , but a con- ting hundreds of games from Cloke, In the wake of the grand final versation with his fatherpersuaded Raines and Taylor, we got ordinary defeat, club legends Daicos to stay with the Magpies. players who played under 50 games.” and Geoff Raines asked for pay With Daicos rejecting a move, “The money we spent on trans- increases to compliment their the Tigers set their sights on Phil fers would have been enough to service to the Tigers. Walsh and John Annear. play Cloke and Raines what they According to former player Walsh was named Collingwood’s wanted.” Dale Weigtman in his book ‘Saving best first year player in 1983 and our skins and other tiger tales’, the move hurt Magpie fans. the duo had requested pay in- “He [Walsh] was a very popular “Tins were taken every- creases after discovering 20-year- player,” Roberts said. where to raise the money.” old forward Brian Taylor was on a “The fans loved him and from Bill Meaklim larger salary. that moment it was a realisation Livid by the perceived lack of that this was a war.” Collingwood Collingwood returned to the finals respect shown towards the club, hit back by securing Brian Taylor in 1984, while Richmond struggled in Collingwood and Richmond: A cold war Richmond secretary Graeme in 1985, while Richmond poached the lower half of the ladder. Richmond did not accept the Wally Lovett, Neil Peart and Craig Over a four-year period, the played out in the heart of Melbourne request. Stewart. ‘New Magpies’ spent $1.8 million on player acquisitions. In 1986, the Magpies were on the verge bankruptcy, but found enough the Grand Final defeat, Collingwood An off-field battle that impacted Richmond and Collingwood money to pay off their debts. on on-field performances. began the decade by squaring off were in the midst of an evolution. “We got a stay of execution of in the 1980 Grand Final. In front of For the first time in six years the a couple of weeks and that gave By Chris Chrysostomou 113,461 fans, the Tigers defeated the Magpies failed to make the finals. us the time we needed to settle Magpies by 81 points to win their The Collingwood board were things down a bit,” Roberts said. t was a war that should never have 10th VFL premiership. criticised for being conservative Richmond was not so lucky. happened. I With a side full of youth, the Ti- and the lack of improvement saw Disappointing on-field results saw A war that saw one club bank- gers were expected to dominate the rebel groups challenge the board the club sack four coaches in a rupt and the other on the brink of decade and be become one of the for power of the club. five-year period. In 1990 Rich- extinction. most successful teams in VFL history. One of these rebel groups was the mond declared they needed to Collingwood and Richmond have ‘New Magpies’, who were led by well raise $1 million by October 31 or never got along. The cross-town “Graeme Richmond know media identity and businessman face extinction. rivals have shared a history that Ranald McDonald. had this attitude that The Save Our Skins campaign dates back to the 1920s, when the McDonald and the ‘New Magpies’ was established and saw the club Tigers claimed their first premier- you don’t tell us what promised fans if elected onto the rattle tins for survival. ship in the 1920 grand final. board, they would embark on one of “Tins were taken everywhere you are worth, we tell “Graeme Richmond had this “We got a stay of execu- Collingwood sought their the biggest recruiting campaigns seen to raise the money. A legend you.” attitude that you don’t tell us what revenge by trouncing the Tigers VFL history. tion of a couple of weeks match was planned at Windy Bill Meaklim you are worth, we tell you,” Rich- in three successive grand finals An election was called and the ‘New Hill and it got a crowd of over mond historian Bill Meaklim said. and that gave us the between1927 to 1929. Magpies’ gained power of the club. 23,000,” recalls Meaklim. However, the Tigers failed News of the player unrest time we needed to set- Tensions between the clubs Collingwood historian Michael Amongst the many who donat- to make the finals in 1981 and reached Collingwood and the were so fierce that Richmond Roberts recalls the ‘New Magpies’ tle things down a bit.” ed to the cause was the Colling- sacked coach . Magpies offered the pair the mon- immortal confessed he early promises. Michael Roberts wood Football Club. Former player ey they were seeking. could not watch black and white “They [the ‘New Magpies’] went It is unclear why the Magpies was appointed coach in 1982 and Losing the well-loved players to television because of his hatred out to spend big money and buy a But the effects of the war were donated to the Richmond fund. guided the Tigers to the Grand Fi- their fiercest rival infuriated the for the Magpies. premiership. It was a charged en- beginning to take its toll. While But what is clear is no matter nal. But in wet conditions the Tigers Richmond, who began plotting But for all of their history, noth- vironment under that regime and Collingwood were getting the how strained the relationship were no match for Carlton, who their revenge. ing would prepare the clubs for that meant they were spending best out of their recruits, Rich- became, Both clubs needed each ran away with an 18-point victory. “Guys like Cloke and Raines the bitter trade wars of the early big money and that meant clubs mond’s signings failed to impress. other for survival. 1980’s. While Richmond was mourning who were poached by Colling- were royalty at Richmond and 18 19 Photo credit: www.collingwoodfc.com.au/ Leigh Matthews is one of the greatest players to ever lace up the boots. He played 332 games, netted 915 goals, won eight best and fairests and retired with four premiership medallions around his neck. He also fought a behind post and won, he snapped it in half!

20 21 Ad credit: www.mmad.com.au Photo credit: www.sen.com.au The Greatest Team of All Michael Roach Round 5, 1979. Graeme Robertson lofts the ball into the Tigers forward 50 as four players con- By Dylan Brown verge at the drop of the Sherrin. Suddenly a fifth enters the frame as Michael Roach soars to take he 70s and the 80s featured premiership in 21 years in 1968, 1991 Brownlow medallist, former one of the greatest VFL/AFL marks. Tsome of the greatest players before retiring as a player and de- Gaelic footballer . of all time, with many of them livered them another premiership The captain Leigh Matthews is featuring not just in this team but in 1970 as coach. one of the most successful play- the Team of the Century. Barrassi’s coaching style was ers during this time period, being Many of them had large impacts unforgiving, who preached a tough one of the dominant figures in a on the game and helped grow the style of football which forced his Hawthorn team that was incred- code into what it is today. squads to be disciplined and play ibly successful during the 70s and This shows just how strong the un-selfishly. This is what made early 80s. competition was during this pe- him successful in bringing Carl- In 1971 he was still a teenager, riod having all these great players ton back up from the brink, and yet was a crucial player for Haw- playing around the sametime. brought a pair of premierships thorn and kicked 43 goals to go This also extends to the coach to North Melbourne. When he along with the first of his eight of the squad selected in Ron returned to Melbourne he helped awards for the Barrassi who is regarded as one Melbourne under 19 coach Ray club. He won the premiership of the best player and coach of Jordon to build the foundations four times (1971, 1976, 1978 and all time who features in the AFL for the squad. He was the man 1983), the Coleman medal in Team of the Century. that started looking overseas for 1972 and is in the AFL Team of He was a player coach for Carl- talent with the ‘Irish experiment’, the Century. ton who lead them to their first which was where he recruited All-Australian Team Followers Leigh Matthews (C) 1970s - 1980s (Hawthorn) K. Grieg T. Watson (North Melbourne) (Essendon) G. Healy P. Roos A. Jesaulenko (Melbourne/Sydney) (Fitzroy/Sydney) (Carlton) C. Langford K. Bartlett (Richmond) (Hawthorn)

D. Dench R. Glendinning G. Williams D. Brereton J. Dunstall (North Melbourne) (North Melbourne/ (Carlton) (Hawthorn) (Hawthorn) West Coast)

B. Doull G. Ablett Snr (Carlton) (Geelong) F. Burke M. Blight Interchange (Richmond) (North Melbourne) R. Flower T. Daniher (Melbourne) (Essendon) P. Daicos (Collingwood) Coach Ron Barrassi 22 23 Photo credit: www.afr.com/news Photo credit: www.afltashalloffame.com.au ‘The Flying ‘Polly’ ‘Rocket’ ‘The Ghost’ ‘Kevin Bartlett’ ‘The Big Dipper’ Graham Farmer was coined Polly at the Just watch through one of his was given the nickname The The Tigers legend played 403 games Fans and commentators alike were Doormat’ age of six due to his habit of chattering like many coaching sprays and the inspiration Ghost by coach . Jess’ viking and kicked 778 goals for the yellow unable to wrap their tongue around a parrot. Little did they know that Polly behind Rocket will become crystal clear. like appearance and warrior like style and black, along with a couple of Robert Dipierdomenico’s 13-letter A comb-over not to be missed. would go on to become one of the most earned him the peculiar tag that stuck handballs. Kevin Bartlett earned the surname, so instead The Big Dipper was given The Flying with him his entire career. nickname Hungry due to his un- was born. No one could accuse him of Doormat nickname by Lou Rich- influential players in the game’s history. willingness to handball and take the not having a dip either, he played the ards after his ‘mat like’ comb-over. Sherrin out of his hands. 1989 Grand Final with a punctured lung and broken ribs. ‘Macedonian ‘Greg Williams’ It took Greg Williams just one senior Marvel’ game to earn the nickname that stuck One of the most mercurial tal- with him for his entire career. Former ents to play the game, Peter Dai- teammate Mick Turner coined the cos was given the nickname the nickname in Williams debut game, due Macedonian Marvel due to his to his slow, but reliable style of play. parent’s origins in Macedonia. ‘S.O.S’ ‘Plugger’ After Sergio Silvagni played 239 The nickname Plugger was games for Carlton their fans inherited by Tony Lockett long were thrilled when his son, Ste- before he became the leading phen Silvagni, joined the club in goal scorer in VFL/AFL history. 1985. He was immediately given His grandfather was given the the nickname, SOS, standing for Plugger tag for his habit of plug- Son of Serge. Now with Jack ging around the garden, which Silvagni at the Blues we are just was then passed on to each of waiting for SOSOS to catch on. the Lockett generations. ‘The Incredible ‘The Galloping Hulk’ Rene Kink may not have fea- Gasometer’ tured green skin, but he was Mick Nolan stood at 194 cms certainly built like the Hulk. tall and weighed 135 kgs, and is With his barrel chest and led- still one of the heaviest ruckman pipe arms this nickname was to play VFL/AFL football. His almost unavoidable. figure reminded Lou of the giant gasometer located across the ‘Mr. Football’ road from Arden Street and The The late was one of Galloping Gasometer was born. the greatest footballers to ever lace them up, along with becoming one ‘Superboot’ of the most iconic personalities in Known for his incredible long the game’s history. Mr Football is range kicking throughout his 366- simply the most adequate way to game career, quick- sum up his impact on the game. ly earned the nickname Superboot. ‘The Kid’ ‘Chimp’ Lou Richards All-Nickname Team Hawthorn coach Alan Jeans labelled is part of a rare quartet, as “just a kid” after one of only four players to have ‘The Flying ‘Lethal’ his five-goal performance in the 1982 won the Brownlow medal three Considering he snapped a point post in half, 1970s - 1980s semi-final. Journalists caught wind of times. He earned the nickname Dutchman’ Lethal is an apt nickname for the 332-game In honour of the late Lou Richards we present the the nickname and with his boyish good Chimp through the incredible grit A spectacular overhead marking ability Hawthorn legend. The nickname stuck the mo- All-Nickname Team of the 70’s and 80’s. This team looks, Brereton was referred to as The and determination that he showed and his Dutch heritage earned Paul Vander ment Lou bestowed it upon Matthews, inspired features the 18 best nicknames and personalities Kid from then onwards. throughout his career. Haar the nickname The Flying Dutchman. by his brutal yet brilliant approach to the game. from over the two decades. 24 By Daniel Freeman 25 Photo credit: Google Images In the modern day, the tradi- What was formulary known as He would push up the ground tional full forward who sits solely the glamour position in the team and help defensively at compress- in the goal square seems long has been reduced in current day ing the space that the opposition gone. With tactics such as flood- to be just as important as a half can work with. This defensive ing and the forward press, it has back would be for the team. focus is why the full forward will made it literally impossible for For the first time since 1964, position himself within a kick of forwards these days to get a one this season in round 13 was the the ball and is why we see so on one contest. The big key for- first time in AFL history that no many players around the ball. ward is in decline these days and player in a single game had kicked Then when they gain possession, they are forced up the ground more than 3 goals. Franklin will lead back with the to provide a marking option and It also due to the preferences by flight of the ball. been thrown in the middle to coaches to have a large spread The 70s and 80s were the era make an impact at the stoppages. of goal kickers, who believe that of the full forward, as all of the This wasn’t the case during the relying on one sole dominant goal greatest in that position played in 70s and 80s as teams stuck to kicker can be restrained with this era. The greatest of all time very traditional positions, with multiple options. would be Tony Lockett, who is none of this flooding we see With the game being full time, the highest goal scorer in the his- today where there are 36 players with players always at the club tory of the VFL/AFL, kicking 1,360 congested around the ball. Scor- it means that defenders have a in only 281 games. His career ing totals for the Coleman Medal lot of time to develop better was played out in two phases. The during the glory days of the posi- techniques in spoiling and get- first at the Saints where he was The era of the full forward tion would sit around 100 goals, ting better body positions. Also, the main attraction in a struggling whereas today with the introductions of presses, St Kilda side and second moving clubs where quite different at the The 70s and 80s played host to “I missed a lot of football, I won the medal with just 69. zoning and flooding means it’s to Sydney as an ambassador of time as Richmond was quite suc- some of the best full forwards to do think I could have ac- After Peter Hudson kicked 100 nearly impossible to rely on one the game as it expanded outside cessful at the time while Colling- ever play the game. Tony Lock- in 1968, there was only seven or two specialist full forwards of Victoria. Lockett isn’t like a lot of complished a lot more.” wood was coming up. He com- ett, Gary Ablett Senior and Brian seasons where a player didn’t yesteryear like or the other forwards in his era like Brian Taylor pared the cultures at the Taylor were just a handful of the kick this in a season for 35 years. Tony Lockett. the Brereton’s and Capper’s who incredible full fowards to dominate clubs as a sense of “Togetherness Even though his career was cut Yet in the past 15 seasons, only Lance Franklin is one of the key feed of the fame and attention. over the two decades. at Richmond...they had a great short, Taylor had enjoyed many spirit and lot like a family. Colling- two players have achieved this figures that changed this, he still He was a quiet country boy from milestone with Frazer Gehrig and kicks a lot of goals but doesn’t that would shy away from By Dylan Brown career milestones. like kicking 100 wood didn’t have that early on goals in a season, but his favourite when I was there but it developed Lance Franklin. rely on being a lead up forward. this attention which only fed the moments in the game is the rush aura around him. he traditional full forward is later on.” he would get taking a big mark and For the passionate fans, this is known to be the strongest Taylor also discussed why foot- T kicking the goal to the support- the best era of football particu- player on the field physically and ballers these days seem ‘bland and er’s approval. He also loved the larly for fans of a traditional full their overall presence in the robotic’ these days compared to challenge going up against Carlton forward. Now we can only dream game. The position has been a the flamboyant characters of the great and Team of the Century of a player kicking 100 goals in host to a lot of larger than live 70s and 80s. full back Stephen Silvagni. He also the modern era which shows figures particularly during the 70s “Society has forced them out.. loved going up against Community standards have forced just how stacked the talent was and 80s. because there was always a bit of clubs to toe the line. Players are during this time. Gone are the Those such as Brian Taylor who a wrestle and banter between the expect to be team orientated. days where the full forward was was large in stature and presence two. Many coaches such as Buckley seen as a monster kicking bags on the football field who played In talking about Richmond leav- expect their players to conduct for two of the largest clubs in the of 6 or more goals. During these ing him out of the 82 Grand Final, themselves a certain way and if game in Richmond and Colling- times midfielders would cop a Taylor said “(there was ill feeling) they don’t they are dropped or wood. He had one of the most spray from the coach if he even at the time (towards Richmond), shown the door” thought about venturing into the accurate kicks in the game at the felt a little bit resentful but it was forward 50, but today it is en- time, kicking 527 goals in just 140 the right move at the time.” He “Clubs should be welcom- couraged. Which is why we can games. His career was cut short discussed moving to a rival club ing all personalities, you reminisce in the great marks and due to ongoing issues with his in Collingwood, which was tough goals the Lockett’s, Dunstall’s and knees. He spoke about how he seeing that he grew up at the Rich- shouldn’t have to curb Brereton’s pulled off in this great felt he could have achieved a lot mond Football Club. your personality.” Brian Taylor lines up against Carlton great Stephen Silvagni. era. more if his body didn’t fail him. The culture between the two Brian Taylor 26 27 Photo credit: Title photo - www.southernhighlandnews.com.au, Brian Taylor - www.forever.collingwoodfc.com.au Dermott Brereton At the opening bounce of the 1989 Quiz Grand Final, Geelongs Mark Yeates By Jayden Cameron lined up Hawk star ‘Derm’. The hit Who scored 195 points against Melbourne in Round 9, left Brereton with two broken ribs 1 1980? and a ruptured kidney, but ‘Derm’ had the last laugh as the Hawks went Who famously broke the behind post in a 1982 game against on to win an epic Grand Final. 2 Essendon? “Theres a pig at full forward!” 3 Who did Alex Jesaulenko take his famous mark against? 4 How many votes did Graham Teasedale poll in 1977 Brown- low Medal victory? Who am I? 5 In what year did Dermott Brereton break his ribs? I was born 9th December, 1943 in Cobden. 6 How many goals did Peter Hudson kick in the 1971 Season? I debuted in 1963 with South Melbourne, before wanting a trade to a ‘premiership side’ in 1973. How many Charles Sutton Medals did Gary Dempsey win 7 from 1970-1980? I was a small frame, with skinny legs running off the half-back line. In what year did Richmond trade for Dual-Brownlow Medal- 8 list, and St. Kilda Champion, Ian Stewart? In 1975, I got my wish and won a premiership with North Melbourne, before deciding to re-join Who were Footscray merging with at the end of 1989 be- South Melbourne from 1976 until 1979. 9 fore they became the ? I was then traded to Fitzroy, where I would play 10 Who levelled the scores in the 1977 Drawn Grand Final? just six games, before retiring after a 336 game career. How many goals did Tony Lockett kick in his debut against 11 Geelong in 1983? My nickname was Mopsy. 12 In what year did make his debut? I am... Where’s Warwick? Can you find the ten Warwick Capper’s in the photo?

28 Photo credit: Crows fans - www.insidesport.com.au/gallery, SCG Pig - www.theage.com.au/afl/ 29 Photo credit: www.sportingnews.com/ Rantall. John - I? am Who 1972. - 12 2, - 11 Dunne, Ross - 10 Fitzroy, - 9 1970, - 8 6, - 7 150, - 6 1989, - 5 59, - 4 Collingwood, - 3 Matthews, Leigh - 2 Richmond, - 1 Answers: Quiz on the last day in September, what fast in the first quarter strong, a game it was to remember. With leading the way was Brereton and big names like Gary Ablett, Bill his brave effort and by the short Brownless, Michael Tuck, break, they were leading by 40 Dermott Brereton all taking the points in front of a huge crowd stage at the same time in a classic of 94,796. match that went down to the wire. “I remember the coach, Al- From the first bounce, Geelong lan Jeans telling the players came out with a hunters mindset, with midfielder Mark Yeates they had to do whatever it beelining straight for Brereton took and pay the price in with only one intention, to hurt order to win.” him and remove him from the Robert Hess game, in which he did, breaking two of his ribs and rupturing his Hess hasn’t seen many efforts kidney. The umpire bounces the like Brereton’s in his time at the 1989 Grand Final: ball and it was game on, with Bre- club he discussed, “Brereton reton stating he was ready to take picked himself up and walked and they were still able to hold out the first Geelong player he around for a few minutes, got his on to the game, marking it as one saw, however, before he could do breath back, went down forward of the great grand final wins that’s One for the ages so, Yeates was already a metre and moments later kicked a goal, for sure,” Hess says. away just about to make connec- More players for the Hawks The 1989 Grand Final is widely re- four they were on top of the their season, he believes, “The it was very inspirational to watch,” tion, and what a connection it went down during the game as garded as one of the greatest Grand table and didn’t look like losing at whole season was a very good Hess says. was. Brereton jumped back to his well, with Robert ‘ Dipper’ Finals in VFL/AFL history. This spiteful all to many sides, they then went one...A fantastic season for the When speaking about the at- feet, however, the pain was too DiPierdomenico suffering from a clash had it all, from big hits to huge on to top the 1989 home & away club as a whole seeing as they mosphere on grand final day, Hess much and he was taken from the broken rib and punctured lung, a goals and a showstopping finish. ladder for the rest of the year, with only lost a few games for the mentioned, “The atmosphere ground in pure agony. concussion to , a Essendon sitting second. Although year,” Hess says. was electric, the amount of ex- This didn’t stop him, howev- quad injury to and a not much breached the gap However that wasn’t the case, citement made it one of our best By Jacob Manzie er, putting himself back on the heavy blow to Darrin Pritchard, between the two sides when they grand finals to date.” they met their rivals, Essendon ground, only to kick a goal min- which left them with barely a he 1989 Grand Final was the met in round three, the Hawkss The next quarter pretty much again in the semi-final, a win puts utes after the bump, and another team on the ground, however, fourth grand final Hawthorn won by 44 points, proving how went the same way, with the T the victor straight through to the two goals for the game, making they still managed to conjure up would not only play in, but also good they actually were playing in Hawks going into half-time in front big dance. it one of the most courageous the thrilling win. the fourth they would win, an the 1989 Grand Final. by a margin of 37 points. Essendon came out of the grand final efforts seen to date. “Even the captain Michael Tuck amazing achievement in a decade With no other side close to “It was a pretty good win seeing block strong at Waverly Park that Hawthorn came out hard and was injured, both sides were just of football for one club. The Hawthorn that season, it was that Gary Ablett kicked nine goals day, however not for too long, holding on for the final siren to was a question of who would meet with Hawthorn getting back on come,“I remember the coach, established in 1902 and played in them in the grand final, unless top, winning the game and mov- Allan Jeans telling the player they the Metropolitan Junior Football they got knocked off somehow at ing straight through to the grand had to do whatever it took and Association and a year later their an earlier stage in the finals, it was final with a comfortable 36 point pay the price in order to win,” home games were played at Rich- theirs to lose. win. Geelong would now face Es- Hess stated. mond Racecourse, which is sendon in the Preliminary final, in The second half of the game where it all began. “The atmosphere was which most would have picked saw Geelong begin to chip their With Allan Jeans as the coach Essendon to easily take home the way back and get more posses- and Michael Tuck as captain, Haw- electric, the amount of win seeing as they beat sion of the football, kicking eight thorn came up against Geelong in excitement made it one Geelong in the first final by 76 unanswered goals in the last quar- what everyone knew was going of our best grand final to points. This wasn’t the case, a ter, the Cats were able to reduce to be a tough, well-drilled game of Geelong with some newly found the margin to only six points, football, with the winner very un- date.” winning form, came out and beat however, a resilient Hawthorn clear heading into the last week- Robert Hess the Bombers by 94 points to put squad held on by a kick, winning end of the season. Hawthorn was themselves into the grand final. the 1989 Grand Final in an amaz- the side to beat all year. Although After a discussion with AFL Historian, Robert Hess about Hawthorn hosted Geelong at ing fashion. they had a shaky start, by round the Mark Yeates cleans up Dermott Brereton at the opening bounce. 30 31 Photo credit: Title - www.hawthornfc.com.au, Dermott/Yeates - www.foxsports.com.au, Ablett - www.heraldsun.com.au of Melbourne ... There was the people out this way, who just didn’t Waverley Park developed the promise that there would be a want to go into town,” he said. unflattering nickname of ‘Arctic train line to come out this way ... Would an AFL executive ever Park’ in the 1980’s. But when that didn’t eventuate it publicly regret the closure of the It was believed that the stadium was ultimately the death row of stadium? was located in a prominent rain-belt the ground in a way,” Haby said. The announcement to close in Victoria and was subjected to The AFL sold the surrounding Waverley was unpopular among strong winds. land to a property development fans, who campaigned to continue But Haby believes there was group in 2001. The stands where adoring fans once cheered are now supplanted by apartments, closing in, just a short kick of the footy along the boundary of the former VFL Park. Only the Sir Kenneth Luke stand remains. The only stand to feature all four levels of seating Waverley Park: Waving goodbye completed. Now remodelled into Hawthorn’s to the potential mega-stadium headquarters, featuring a gym, the Hawks’ museum, cafes and a barber- Waverley Park held a few nick- public to attend. Imagine having a Cain was a member of the shop. names over its journey: VFL Park, whopping 50,000 extra seats to . “But we still hear the ghosts,” Arctic Park, but it also came close fill for the biggest day in Australian The closest the venue came to laughs Haby. to being called the home of foot- sport. high-jacking the AFL Grand Final The AFL preferred the flashy ball. In its heyday of the 1970’s and was when VFL Park hosted the (Etihad Stadium) 80’s, Waverley Park had a 72,000 event in 1991. as the future of football and as the By Jed Lanyon. to watch their beloved teams at less fact and more fiction to the capacity, an entire fourth level of But this was only due to the major secondary stadium to the MCG. the ground. nickname. f the VFL had their way in the seating was planned to encompass reconstruction of the Southern Fans never fell in love with Etihad “In the last 12 to 18 months “When Hawthorn were looking I1970’s, Melbourne would have the stadium, providing what would Stand at the MCG, which would Stadium, despite being situated in [before closing], the crowds at to stay here, Ian Dicker, the club lost one of the largest sporting be the largest stadium in the have prevented a large number of the city’s west. Waverley really built up, they president at the time, got them events on the calendar to the spa- world today. fans from attending the game. Football fans begrudge for poor really took off,” Haby said. [a meteorologist] to measure the cious dairy pastures of Mulgrave. But the threat of losing footy Footy Rewind spoke to Peter financial returns for teams, and temperature at the MCG and at That’s right, Waverley Park (or loomed large for the Victorian Haby, Museum Curator and Club often groan when their MCG “I think a lot of people still Waverley. VFL Park) was initially intended Government, who had interests Historian for Hawthorn, located based team is forced to play wouldn’t go to the footy just “And on average the MCG was to replace the MCG as the home tied in keeping the game played at on the remnants of Waverley there. colder by one degree for the the ‘G. Park. But the fans loved Waverley. because Waverley has closed.” entire football season. of football under the VFL’s grand Peter Haby plans for the stadium. John Cain was the Victorian Haby says the financial struggles “Waverley was quite popular … “It was one of those myths It would have been viewed as for To most footy fans, nothing can Premier at the time and was of the league and the lack of public The attendance record for the out here, but the nickname just the working class.” rival the experience of Grand unwilling to approve the plans for transport to the stadium led to venue is officially held by Colling- stuck... But it’s a winter sport, “You had a lot of people out Final day at the MCG in the heart the completion of the venue in the demise of Waverley Park. wood v Hawthorn in 1981, when footy is supposed to make you this way who would watch the of Melbourne. 1982/1983. “It was the demographic centre 92,935 crammed into the stadium warm when you are out there in ‘match of the day’. But little known to the average for a Queen’s Birthday clash. the elements.” “They didn’t necessarily follow footy fan, the former ground of But Haby believes the final Despite the conditions, the either team but they followed Waverley Park was left unfinished as game between Hawthorn and ground never failed to draw a footy,” Haby said. the ground was originally designed Sydney unofficially broke that crowd, averaging over 30,000 fans He believes footy fans can be a to hold a capacity crowd of more record. in 13 seasons, during some of the stubborn bunch. than 150,000 people. “The last game was pretty grim... VFL/AFL’s darkest days. “I think a lot of people still Completely dwarfing the MCG, They [the AFL] stopped counting While the VFL had a grand vision wouldn’t go to the footy just which ‘only’ holds a crowd of the attendance at half time... The for Waverley Park in the 1970’s, because Waverley has closed.” 100,000. AFL feared it would smash the re- they ultimately left their own fans “Because a lot of people were Grand Final tickets are one of cord … on this day, we had a hell out in the cold when they shut the lost to footy. There were a lot of the most difficult events for the The original sketch of the completed stadium. of a lot more than that,” Haby said. doors to Waverley Park.

32 33 Photo credit: www.news.com.au & www.heraldsun.com.au 34 35 Ad credit: www.coloribus.com Ad credit: www.coloribus.com RRP $15.00 (INC.GST)

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